Sara Oliveira

Mitochondria and carbon monoxide: cytoprotection and control of cell metabolism – a role for Ca2+?

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an endogenously produced gasotransmitter with important biological functions: anti‐inflammation, anti‐apoptosis, vasomodulation and cell metabolism modulation. The most recognized cellular target for CO is the mitochondria. Physiological concentrations of CO generate mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are signalling molecules for CO‐induced pathways. Indeed, small amounts of ROS promote cytoprotection by a preconditioning effect. Furthermore, CO prevents cell death by limiting mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, which inhibits the release of pro‐apoptotic factors into the cytosol; both events are ROS dependent. CO also increases the ability of mitochondria to take up Ca2+. Mitochondrial metabolism is modulated by CO, namely by increasing TCA cycle rate, oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial biogenesis, which, in turn, increases ATP production. COs modulation of metabolism might be important for cellular response to diseases, namely cancer and ischaemic diseases. Finally, another cytoprotective role of CO involves the control of Ca2+ channels. By limiting the activity of T‐type and L‐type Ca2+ channels, CO prevents excitotoxicity‐induced cell death and modulates cell proliferation. Several questions concerning Ca2+ signalling, mitochondria and CO can be asked, for instance whether CO modulation of cell metabolism would be dependent on the mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake capacity, since small amounts of Ca2+ can increase mitochondrial metabolism. Whether CO controls Ca2+ communication between mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum is another open field of research. In summary, CO emerges as a key gasotransmitter in the control of several cellular functions of mitochondria: metabolism, cell death and Ca2+ signalling.

Effect of Carbon Monoxide on gene expression in cerebrocortical astrocytes: validation of reference genes for quantitative Real-time PCR

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is a widely used technique to characterize changes in gene expression in complex cellular and tissue processes, such as cytoprotection or inflammation. The accurate assessment of changes in gene expression depends on the selection of adequate internal reference gene(s). Carbon monoxide (CO) affects several metabolic pathways and de novo protein synthesis is crucial in the cellular responses to this gasotransmitter. Herein a selection of commonly used reference genes was analyzed to identify the most suitable internal control genes to evaluate the effect of CO on gene expression in cultured cerebrocortical astrocytes. The cells were exposed to CO by treatment with CORM-A1 (CO releasing molecule A1) and four different algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, Delta Ct and BestKeeper) were applied to evaluate the stability of eight putative reference genes. Our results indicate that Gapdh (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) together with Ppia (peptidylpropyl isomerase A) is the most suitable gene pair for normalization of qRT-PCR results under the experimental conditions used. Pgk1 (phosphoglycerate kinase 1), Hprt1 (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase I), Sdha (Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex, Subunit A), Tbp (TATA box binding protein), Actg1 (actin gamma 1) and Rn18s (18S rRNA) genes presented less stable expression profiles in cultured cortical astrocytes exposed to CORM-A1 for up to 60 min. For validation, we analyzed the effect of CO on the expression of Bdnf and bcl-2. Different results were obtained, depending on the reference genes used. A significant increase in the expression of both genes was found when the results were normalized with Gapdh and Ppia, in contrast with the results obtained when the other genes were used as reference. These findings highlight the need for a proper and accurate selection of the reference genes used in the quantification of qRT-PCR results in studies on the effect of CO in gene expression.

The buffer effect of body compassion on the association between shame and body and eating difficulties

Body compassion is a new construct which incorporates two multidimensional concepts: body image and self-compassion. Self-compassion has been revealed as a protective mechanism against body image and eating-related-related disturbances, including eating disorders. However, the study of this compassionate competence specifically focused on the domain of the body is still largely unexplored. This study aims to test whether body compassion moderate the impact of external shame on body image shame and disordered eating, in a sample of 354 women from the Portuguese general population. Correlation analyses showed that body compassion was negatively associated with experiences of shame and disordered eating. Path analysis results demonstrated the existence of a moderator effect of body compassion on the relationship between general feelings of shame and both body image shame and related behaviours, and disordered eating symptomatology. In fact, results suggested that body compassion buffered the impact of general feelings of shame on these psychopathological indices, with the tested model accounting for 46% and 39% of the variance of body image shame and disordered eating, respectively. This study contributes to a better understanding of the role of body compassion in body image and eating difficulties. Body compassion seems to be an important protector of these difficulties in women by buffering the effects of general shame on body image shame and related body concealment behaviours, as well as disordered eating. The findings from this study thus appear to offer important research and clinical implications, supporting the relevance of promoting body compassion in prevention and treatment programs for body image difficulties and disordered eating.

Explaining male body attitudes: the role of early peer emotional experiences and shame

PurposeThe current study tested a path model that examined the association between early emotional experiences with peers and male body attitudes and whether general feelings of shame and body-focused shame mediate this relationship, while controlling for the effect of body mass index.MethodsThe sample comprised 241 men from the general community, aged from 18 to 60, who completed an online survey.ResultsCorrelation analyses showed that the recall of positive early emotional experiences with peers is inversely linked to shame and negative body attitudes. Path analysis results indicated that early emotional experiences with peers had a direct effect on external shame, and an indirect effect on male negative body attitudes mediated by external shame and body-focused shame. Results confirmed the plausibility of the tested model, which accounted for 40% of the variance of male body attitudes. Findings suggested that men who recall fewer positive early peer emotional experiences tend to perceive that they are negatively viewed by others and present more body image-focused shame experiences. This in turn seems to explain a negative self-appreciation of one’s muscularity, body fat and height.ConclusionsThis study contributes to a better understanding of male body attitudes. Findings suggest that the link between early emotional experiences and male body attitudes may depend on the experience of shame feelings and, particularly, on the extent to which one’s body image becomes a source of shame. These data support the relevance of addressing shame experiences when working with men with body image-related difficulties.Level of evidenceLevel V—cross-sectional descriptive study.

A Escala Multidimensional de Ansiedade para Crianças (MASC): Propriedades psicométricas e análise fatorial confirmatória numa amostra de adolescentes portugueses

EnglishA psychometric analysis of a Portuguese version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) was undertaken in a school-based sample of 2041 Portuguese adolescents aged 12-18 years. A confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original four-factor structure (March, Parker, Sullivan, Stallings, & Conners, 1997). Therefore a confirmatory factor analysis with a 3rd order model was conducted (with subfactors, factors, and total score) revealing better adjustment indexes. The difference between models was also significant. After a multigroup analysis, this structure revealed to be invariant across gender, but only configural and metric invariance was found across age groups. The convergent and divergent validity of the MASC was confirmed using measures of anxiety, depression, and general well-being. A moderate to high temporal stability, in a three-week interval, was obtained. This study confirmed that the Portuguese edition of the MASC is a reliable and useful self-report instrument to assess anxiety in adolescents. portuguesFoi realizado um estudo psicometrico da versao Portuguesa da Escala Multidimensional de Ansiedade para Criancas (MASC), utilizando uma amostra de 2.041 adolescentes, entre os 12 e os 18, recolhida em contexto escolar. Uma vez que a analise fatorial confirmatoria nao replicou a estrutura original de quatro fatores (March, Parker, Sullivan, Stallings, & Conners, 1997), foi levada a cabo uma analise fatorial confirmatoria, com um fator de 3a ordem (com subfatores, fatores e total), que revelou melhores indices de ajustamento, sendo a diferenca entre os modelos estatisticamente significativa. Apos realizacao de uma analise multigrupos, esta estrutura revelou-se invariante para o genero, enquanto que apenas foi encontrada invariância configural e metrica para a idade. A validade convergente e divergente foi confirmada, usando medidas de ansiedade, bem-estar e depressao. Verificou-se uma estabilidade moderada a elevada, relativa a um intervalo de 3 semanas. Este estudo confirmou que a versao Portuguesa da MASC e um instrumento de autorresposta fidedigno e util para avaliar ansiedade em adolescentes.

Validation of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 for Portuguese women

Table of contentsS1 Health literacy and health education in adolescenceCatarina Cardoso TomásS2 The effect of a walking program on the quality of life and well-being of people with schizophreniaEmanuel Oliveira, D. Sousa, M. Uba-Chupel, G. Furtado, C. Rocha, A. Teixeira, P. FerreiraS3 Diagnosis and innovative treatments - the way to a better medical practiceCeleste AlvesS4 Simulation-based learning and how it is a high contributionStefan GisinS5 Formative research about acceptability, utilization and promotion of a home fortification programme with micronutrient powders (MNP) in the Autonomous Region of Príncipe, São Tomé and PríncipeElisabete Catarino, Nelma Carvalho, Tiago Coucelo, Luís Bonfim, Carina SilvaS6 Safety culture of the patient: a reflexion about the therapeutic approach on the patient with vocal pathologyDébora FrancoS7 About wine, fortune cookies and patient experienceJesús Alcoba GonzálezO1 The psychological impact on the emergency crews after the disaster event on February 20, 2010Helena G. Jardim, Rita SilvaO2 Musculoskeletal disorders in midwivesCristina L. Baixinho, Mª Helena Presado, Mª Fátima Marques, Mário E. CardosoO3 Negative childhood experiences and fears of compassion: Implications for psychological difficulties in adolescenceMarina Cunha, Joana Mendes, Ana Xavier, Ana Galhardo, Margarida CoutoO4 Optimal age to give the first dose of measles vaccine in PortugalJoão G. Frade, Carla Nunes, João R. Mesquita, Maria S. Nascimento, Guilherme GonçalvesO5 Functional assessment of elderly in primary careConceição Castro, Alice Mártires, Mª João Monteiro, Conceição RainhoO6 Smoking and coronary events in a population of Spanish health-care centre: An observational studyFrancisco P. Caballero, Fatima M. Monago, Jose T. Guerrero, Rocio M. Monago, Africa P. Trigo, Milagros L. Gutierrez, Gemma M. Milanés, Mercedes G. Reina, Ana G. Villanueva, Ana S. Piñero, Isabel R. Aliseda, Francisco B. RamirezO7 Prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries in Portuguese musiciansAndrea Ribeiro, Ana Quelhas, Conceição MansoO8 Hip fractures, psychotropic drug consumption and comorbidity in patients of a primary care practice in SpainFrancisco P. Caballero, Jose T. Guerrero, Fatima M. Monago, Rafael B. Santos, Nuria R. Jimenez, Cristina G. Nuñez, Inmaculada R. Gomez, Mª Jose L. Fernandez, Laura A. Marquez, Ana L. Moreno, Mª Jesus Tena Huertas, Francisco B. RamirezO9 The role of self-criticism and shame in social anxiety in a clinical SAD sampleDaniel Seabra, Mª Céu SalvadorO10 Obstruction and infiltration: a proposal of a quality indicatorLuciene Braga, Pedro Parreira, Anabela Salgueiro-Oliveira, Cristina Arreguy-Sena, Bibiana F. Oliveira, Mª Adriana HenriquesO11 Balance and anxiety and depression symptoms in old age peopleJoana Santos, Sara Lebre, Alda MarquesO12 Prevalence of postural changes and risk factors in school children and adolescents in a northern region (Porto)Clarinda Festas, Sandra Rodrigues, Andrea Ribeiro, José LuminiO13 Ischemic stroke vs. haemorrhagic stroke survival rateAna G. FigueiredoO14 Chronobiological factors as responsible for the appearance of locomotor pathology in adolescentsFrancisco J. Hernandez-Martinez, Liliana Campi, Mª Pino Quintana-Montesdeoca, Juan F. Jimenez-Diaz, Bienvenida C. Rodriguez-De-VeraO15 Risk of malnutrition in the elderly of BragançaAlexandra Parente, Mª Augusta Mata, Ana Mª Pereira, Adília Fernandes, Manuel BrásO16 A Lifestyle Educational Programme for primary care diabetic patients: the design of a complex nursing interventionMª Rosário Pinto, Pedro Parreira, Marta L. Basto, Ana C. Rei, Lisete M. MónicoO17 Medication adherence in elderly peopleGilberta Sousa, Clementina Morna, Otília Freitas, Gregório Freitas, Ana Jardim, Rita VasconcelosO18 Hospitalization for cervical cancer of residents in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, 2012 to 2014Lina G. Horta, Roger S. Rosa, Luís F. Kranz, Rita C. Nugem, Mariana S. Siqueira, Ronaldo BordinO19 Oncologic assistance of high complexity: evaluation of regulating accessesRosiane Kniess, Josimari T. LacerdaO20 Perceived barriers for using health care services by the older population as seen by the social sector: findings from the Vila Nova de Gaia Gerontological PlanJoana Guedes, Idalina Machado, Sidalina Almeida, Adriano Zilhão, Helder Alves, Óscar RibeiroO21 Sleep difficulties and depressive symptoms in college studentsAna P. Amaral, Ana Santos, Joana Monteiro, Mª Clara Rocha, Rui CruzO22 Psychopathological symptoms and medication use in higher educationAna P. Amaral, Marina Lourenço, Mª Clara Rocha, Rui CruzO23 Sexually transmitted diseases in higher education institutionsSandra Antunes, Verónica Mendonça, Isabel Andrade, Nádia Osório, Ana Valado, Armando Caseiro, António Gabriel, Anabela C. Martins, Fernando MendesO24 Alcohol consumption and suicide ideation in higher education studentsLídia Cabral, Manuela Ferreira, Amadeu GonçalvesO25 Quality of life in university studentsTatiana D. Luz, Leonardo Luz, Raul MartinsO26 Male and female adolescent antisocial behaviour: characterizing vulnerabilities in a Portuguese sampleAlice Morgado, Maria L. Vale-DiasO27 Risk factors for mental health in higher education students of health sciencesRui Porta-NovaO28 International classification of functioning disability and health as reflexive reasoning in primary attention in healthTânia C. Fleig, Éboni M. Reuter, Miriam B. Froemming, Sabrina L. Guerreiro, Lisiane L. CarvalhoO29 Risk factors and cardiovascular disease in PortalegreDaniel Guedelha, P. Coelho, A. PereiraO30 Health status of the elderly population living in Portalegre historic city centre: A longitudinal studyAntónio Calha, Raul CordeiroO31 Student’s sleep in higher education: sleep quality among students of the IPBAna Gonçalves, Ana Certo, Ana Galvão, Mª Augusta MataO32 Trend in mortality from cervical cancer in the metropolitan area of Florianópolis, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, 2000 to 2013Aline Welter, Elayne Pereira, Sandra Ribeiro, Marcia KretzerO33 Adherence to treatment in the elderly in an urban environment in SpainJuan-Fernando Jiménez-Díaz, Carla Jiménez-Rodríguez, Francisco-José Hernández-Martínez, Bienvenida-Del-Carmen Rodríguez-De-Vera, Alexandre Marques-RodriguesO34 Beira Baixa Blood Pressure Study (Study PABB)Patrícia Coelho, Tiago Bernardes, Alexandre PereiraO35 Trends in cervical cancer mortality statistics in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, by age group and macro-region, from 2000 to 2013Patrícia Sousa, João G. Filho, Nazare Nazario, Marcia KretzerO36 Sleep problems among Portuguese adolescents: a public health issueOdete Amaral, António Garrido, Nélio Veiga, Carla Nunes, Ana R. Pedro, Carlos PereiraO37 Association between body fat and health-related quality of life in patients with type 2 diabetesAntónio Almeia, Helder M. Fernandes, Carlos Vasconcelos, Nelson Sousa, Victor M. Reis, M. João Monteiro, Romeu MendesO38 Therapy adherence and polypharmacy in non-institutionalized elderly from Amares county, PortugalIsabel C. Pinto, Tânia Pires, João GamaO39 Prevalence of surgical site infection in adults at a hospital unit in the North of PortugalVera Preto, Norberto Silva, Carlos Magalhães, Matilde MartinsO40 Frailty phenotype in old age: implications to interventionMafalda Duarte, Constança Paúl, Ignácio MartínO41 Portuguese women: sexual symptoms in perimenopauseArminda A. PinheiroO42 Predictive ability of the Perinatal Depression Screening and Prevention Tool – preliminary results of the categorical approachSandra Xavier, Julieta Azevedo, Elisabete Bento, Cristiana Marques, Mariana Marques, António Macedo, Ana T. PereiraO43 Aging and muscle strength in patients with type 2 diabetes: cross sectional analysisJosé P. Almeida, António Almeida, Josiane Alves, Nelson Sousa, Francisco Saavedra, Romeu MendesO44 Accessibility of the elderly in the prevention of hypertension in a family health unitAna S. Maia, Michelle T. Oliveira, Anderson R. Sousa, Paulo P. Ferreira, Luci S. Lopes, Eujcely C. SantiagoO45 Community Health screenings and self-reported chronic diseasesSílvia Monteiro, Ângelo Jesus, Armanda Colaço, António Carvalho, Rita P. Silva, Agostinho CruzO46 Evaluation of indoor air quality in KindergartensAna Ferreira, Catarina Marques, João P. Figueiredo, Susana PaixãoO47 Atmospheric exposure to chemical agents under the occupational activity of pathology techniciansAna Ferreira, Carla Lopes, Fernando Moreira, João P. FigueiredoO48 Occupational exposure to air pollutants in night entertainment venues workersAna Ferreira, Diana Ribeiro, Fernando Moreira, João P. Figueiredo, Susana PaixãoO49 Beliefs and attitudes of young people towards breastfeedingTelma Fernandes, Diogo Amado, Jéssica Leal, Marcelo Azevedo, Sónia RamalhoO50 Profiling informal caregivers: surveying needs in the care of the elderlyCatarina Mangas, Jaime Ribeiro, Rita GonçalvesO51 Visual health in teenagersAmélia F Nunes, Ana R. Tuna, Carlos R. Martins, Henriqueta D. ForteO52 Amenable mortality and the geographic accessibility to healthcare in PortugalCláudia Costa, José A. Tenedório, Paula SantanaO53 Bacterial contamination of door handles in a São Paulo See Metropolitan Cathedral public restrooms in BrazilJ. A. Andrade, J. L. Pinto, C. Campofiorito, S. Nunes, A. Carmo, A. Kaliniczenco, B. Alves, F. Mendes, C. Jesus, F. Fonseca, F. GehrkeO54 Adherence of patients to rehabilitation programmesCarlos Albuquerque, Rita Batista, Madalena Cunha, António Madureira, Olivério Ribeiro, Rosa MartinsO55 Prevalence of malnutrition among Portuguese elderly living in nursing homes: preliminary results of the PEN-3S projectTeresa Madeira, Catarina Peixoto-Plácido, Nuno Santos, Osvaldo Santos, Astrid Bergland, Asta Bye, Carla Lopes, Violeta Alarcão, Beatriz Goulão, Nuno Mendonça, Paulo Nicola, João G. ClaraO56 Relation between emotional intelligence and mental illness in health studentsJoão Gomes, Ana Querido, Catarina Tomás, Daniel Carvalho, Marina CordeiroP1 Fall risk factors in people olObjectives: Dietary restraint, the intentional restriction of caloric intake for the purpose of weight loss, is linked to maladaptive eating and lower mental and physical health. This study aimed to validate for the Portuguese population the Dietary Intent Scale (DIS), a measure of dietary restraint. Methods The sample comprised 1077 participants (415 males), aged between 14 and 34 years old. Males presented a mean age of 18.09 (SD=3.32) and a mean BMI of 22.03 (SD=3.28), and females showed a mean age of 17.73 (SD=3.38) and a mean BMI of 21.32 (SD=2.86). No differences were found between genders regarding age. Results A reliability analysis revealed that DIS presented a Cronbach’s alpha of .92 and that three items did not contribute for the scale’s internal consistency. Therefore, and since their content was similar to other items, these three items were excluded. A confirmatory factor analysis revealed the adequacy of the final 6-item DIS, showing good local (SRWs between .64 and .94) and global adjustments (X(8)=12.07, p=.148; CFI=1.00; TLI=1.00; RMSEA=.03, p=.876). Furthermore, the model showed invariance between genders. Finally, DIS revealed a good convergent validity (eating psychopathology, eating restraint, inflexible eating, body image-related experiential avoidance, body imagerelated cognitive fusion, depression, anxiety, and stress) and temporal validity (r = .82) Discussion DIS seems to be a short and valid measure of eating restraint, highly correlated with an important measure of eating psychopathology (EDE-Q). The DIS may represent an advantage in relation to other existing measures, particularly for research and community interventions regarding eating difficulties.Introduction: Continuous blood pressure (BP) monitoring provides important information about the cardiovascular system condition. Invasive methods are accurate but denote increased risk. Non-invasive methods are safe but less reliable and don ́t provide continuous information. An alternative approach for a continuous, non-invasive measurement of BP is based on changes in pulse transit time (PTT). PTT is defined as the time delay between the R-wave of the electrocardiogram (ECG) and the peak value of the photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal acquired in the patient finger on the same cardiac cycle.

Validation of astrocytic reference genes for qRT-PCR in CO treatment studies

Quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase (qRT-PCR) is a widely used technique to characterize changes in gene expression in complex cellular and tissue processes, such as the cytoprotection or inflammation. The selection of an adequate internal reference gene for accurate and consistent analysis of gene expression is of major importance. Carbon monoxide (CO) affects several metabolic pathways and de novo protein synthesis is crucial in the cellular responses to the gasotransmitter. Herein a selection of commonly used reference genes was analyzed to identify the most suitable internal control genes to evaluate the effect of the CO on gene expression in cultured cortical astrocytes. The cells were exposed to CO by incubation with CORM-A1 (CO releasing molecule A1) and four different algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, Delta Ct and BestKeeper) were applied to better evaluate the stability of eight putative reference genes. Our results indicate that Gapdh (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) and Ppia (peptidylpropyl isomerase A) is the most suitable gene pair for normalization of qRT-PCR results under the experimental conditions used. Pgk1 (phosphoglycerate kinase 1), Hprt1 (hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase I), Sdha (Succinate Dehydrogenase Complex, Subunit A), Tbp (TATA box binding protein), Actg1 (actin gamma 1) and Rn18s (18S rRNA) genes presented less stable expression profiles in cultured cortical astrocytes exposed to CORM-1 for up to 60 min. Analysis of the effects of CO on the expression of Bdnf and bcl-2 gave different results depending on the reference genes used. A significant increase in the expression of both genes was found when the results were normalized with Gapdh and Ppia, in contrast with the results obtained when the other genes were used as reference. This study highlights the need for proper and accurate usage of reference genes in quantification of qRT-PCR results in studies on the effect of CO in gene expression.